05/23/2026
One of the most common questions we get is:
“What should I put in my raised garden beds?”
The answer is: probably less soil than you think.
For most raised beds, we recommend filling the bottom third with wood chips or other coarse organic material. It fills space economically, improves drainage, and breaks down over time to help build healthy soil.
For the top two-thirds, create a growing mix using:
🌱 Topsoil for structure
🌱 Compost for nutrients
🌱 Potting mix for lightness and drainage
The result is a productive, healthy growing environment without spending a fortune filling the entire bed with expensive soil.
As the materials settle over time, simply top dress with a few inches of compost every year or two and keep growing.
Need supplies? We can help with that too.
TLC Compost carries bagged compost, bagged topsoil, potting mix, and bulk wood chips. If you’re building raised beds, we can put together a custom order with everything you need and coordinate a single pickup or delivery.
Tell us the size and number of beds you’re building, and we’ll help you figure out the materials.
🌱 Bulk delivery available
🌱 Bagged materials available
🌱 Custom raised bed soil kits available
